This project was built and designed by Stan Sullivan from Simply Easy DIY. It’s a creative, beginner-friendly display shelf that’s perfect for adding a little character to your home using leftover wood or reclaimed materials.
The shelf combines clean design with flexibility in shape and layout, making it easy to customize for your space. Whether it’s the kitchen, hallway, or even a bathroom wall, this shelf brings both function and visual appeal.
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Why Make a Decorative Shelf?
Shelves are one of the most versatile woodworking projects out there. They can be used to display books, plants, photos, or even serve as extra storage—all while improving the look of a blank wall.
Stan’s project focuses on a freeform design style, which allows the builder to get creative with shape and layout. This makes it an enjoyable and personal build, whether you’re just getting into woodworking or have years of experience under your belt.
Choosing and Preparing Materials
One of the key advantages of this project is that it can be built from scrap wood or reclaimed lumber. Old fence boards, pallets, or leftover project cutoffs are all fair game here.
Before starting assembly, Stan recommends checking each piece for usability and giving them a quick cleanup. A light sanding or surface prep is all that’s needed to get most scraps into shape.
Designing the Layout
Rather than following a rigid template, Stan encourages builders to lay out their pieces and explore what looks good. The asymmetrical, “non-conformative” design adds interest and helps make the shelf feel more like a piece of decor than just a storage solution.
The layout step is also a good time to decide on shelf spacing and how many levels you want. You’re not limited to one shelf—it can be expanded into a multi-tier piece depending on your available materials and space.
Assembling the Shelf Frame
Assembly begins by edge-gluing the boards to create the backing or support panel. Stan uses clamps to keep everything tight during glue-up and suggests skipping brushes or fancy spreading tools for this part—just apply and clamp.
Once the glue has dried, a straightedge is marked across the top to provide a clean, square reference. This line is used for routing the dado that will hold the shelf securely in place.
If your router bit doesn’t match the thickness of the shelf material, Stan shows how to make small adjustments to the setup so the dado fits snugly. It’s a great reminder that precision can still be achieved with a flexible approach.
Mounting with Hidden Keyholes
To hang the shelf cleanly on the wall, Stan uses a keyhole mounting system. This technique allows the shelf to sit flush and stay securely in place, without visible hardware.
Using a simple jig and clamps, he routs matching keyholes on the back of the shelf. This makes alignment and installation much easier later on, and it’s a trick worth remembering for other projects, too.
Applying a Finish
Once the shelf is assembled, it’s time to apply a finish. Stan suggests a shou sugi ban-style burn, which brings out the texture and grain of the wood. The surface is lightly torched, brushed, and sealed to give it both protection and visual contrast.
Of course, the finish is entirely up to you. You can go with a natural oil, stain, paint, or even leave it raw for a rustic touch. The focus here is making the shelf reflect your own style and the feel of the room where it’ll hang.
Functional, Custom, and Creative
The final result is a sturdy shelf that can serve a number of purposes—display, storage, or decoration. Its custom design makes it easy to fit into tight wall spaces or corners, and the use of scrap wood keeps the cost low.
Stan’s casual and helpful approach shows that woodworking doesn’t always need a big investment or complex joinery to create something worth keeping. This is a project that’s approachable but satisfying, especially for a weekend build.
A Great Use for Scrap and Offcuts
If you’ve been saving wood scraps and haven’t known what to do with them, this is a great solution. It puts those leftover boards to work in a meaningful and creative way.
Best of all, you end up with a functional piece you’ll use and enjoy every day.
Get Stan’s plans here: https://www.simplyeasydiy.com/2016/12/diy-decorative-wall-shelf.html.